This study evaluates the effects of feeding modes on the infant gut microbiome, especially focusing on the unique microbial composition provided by human milk. It analyzed the gut microbiome of 51 mother-infant dyads and identified significant differences in microbial diversity related to feeding practices. Alpha diversity results, measured using the Shannon diversity index (H = 38.134, p = 1.05e^-7) and Faith's Phylogenetic Diversity (H = 45.999, p = 2.45e^-9), showed that breastfeeding, in any form, supports microbial alpha diversity comparable to exclusive breastfeeding that was lower in infants receiving breast milk compared to formula and cow’s milk. In contrast, formula or cow's milk led to a distinctly different microbiome. This study utilized both unweighted and weighted UniFrac metrics to assess the impact of feeding modes on microbial community structure or beta diversity. Using these metrics, and PERMANOVA testing, significant differences were observed between several feeding modes. Cow’s milk and formula did not differ for gut microbiome community structure but all modes of feeding that included breastmilk were significantly different from both cow’s milk and formula (q < 0.005). Additionally, breastmilk fed at breast resulted in a significantly different community structure than in infants fed breastmilk at breast and pumped for bottle feeding. Multivariate models of beta diversity metrics, including both subject ID and time, suggested that individual differences accounted for 48% of the variance, while feeding mode accounted for 2%. Despite the smaller explained variance of feeding mode, the association between feeding mode and unweighted UniFrac was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Interestingly, while feeding mode was a significant factor in microbial community diversity, it did not significantly associate with the abundance of Bifidobacterium (p = 0.31) or Lactobacillus (p = 0.21). Covariate inclusion in models revealed that subject ID (individual baby) was the only substantial contributor (p < 0.0001) to the variance in Bifidobacterium abundance. These findings emphasize breast milk's critical role in the development of a healthy gut microbiome and highlight the complex interplay between diet, genetics, and microbial colonization. These insights suggest that while individual genetics are a driving force, breast milk consumption contributes significantly to the gut microbiome diversity and community composition, particularly when compared to formula or cow’s milk consumption. Further research into the mechanisms driving the establishment and maintenance of the infant gut microbiome are warranted.

Postpartum depression affects approximately 15% of the childbearing population in the United States and has been linked to a number of negative maternal and infant outcomes. Mothers who rate low in areas of confidence and self-efficacy tend to have lower satisfaction and view their infants as having more negative temperaments. Infants of depressed mothers have been found to have delays in social and emotional growth which can impair their health and future developmental outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is any evidence to support the hypothesis that maternal depression is associated with infant social and emotional development and maternal role satisfaction among low-income women in rural Arizona. This study employed a repeated measures correlational descriptive prospective longitudinal design using chart reviews analyzing existing clinical data. Purposive sampling was used to select charts of women who participated in the Verde Valley Medical Center branch of the Arizona Healthy Families program. Chart reviews were used to identify charts that met the inclusion criteria of mothers and their infants who completed at least 18 months of the Arizona Healthy Families Program. Findings of this study indicated evidence of a relationship between depression, infant social and emotional development, and maternal role satisfaction. Mothers who had infants that scored higher, with higher being indicative of concern, on the Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional Edition 2 (ASQ:SE 2) had lower role satisfaction scores on the Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (HFPI) and mothers who indicated dissatisfaction at 6 months postpartum were more likely to continue to indicate lower maternal satisfaction at 12 and 18 months postpartum when infant ASQ:SE 2 scores were higher. Investigating the role of the visiting service providers, such as Healthy Families, and their impact on young families for risk identification and resource support will provide information to policy and lawmakers to aid in decisions for funding and help support young families with the goal of growing strong, healthy families in healthcare deserts like rural Arizona. Keywords: Postpartum depression, maternal depression, infant social and emotional development, maternal role, maternal role satisfaction

‘Describing at Large Their True and Lively Figure, their several Names, Conditions, Kinds, Virtues (both Natural and Fanciful), Countries of their Species, their Love and Hatred to Humankind, and the wonderful work of Natural Selection in their Evolution, Preservation, and Destruction.

Interwoven with curious variety of Creative Narrations out of Academic Literatures, Scholars, Artists, Scientists, and Poets. Illustrated with diverse Graphics and Emblems both pleasant and profitable for Students of all Faculties and Professions.’

While only the sixth most common cancer globally, liver cancer is the third most deadly. Despite the importance of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, standard diagnostic tests for most solid organ neoplasms are not required for the most common type of liver cancer, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). In addition, major discrepancies in the practices currently in place limits the ability to develop more precise oncological treatment and prognosis. This study aimed to identify biomarkers, with potential to more accurately diagnose how far cancer has advanced within a patient and determine prognosis. It is the hope that pathways provided by this study form the basis for future research into more standardized practices and potential treatment based on specific affected biological processes. The PathOlogist tool was utilized to calculate activity metrics for 1,324 biological pathways in 374 The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) hepatocellular carcinoma donors. Further statistical analysis was done on two datasets, formed to identify grade or stage at time of diagnosis for the activity levels calculated by PathOlogist. The datasets were evaluated individually. Based on the variance and normality of each pathway’s activity levels in the respective data sets analysis of variance, Tukey-Kramer, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney-Wilcox tests were performed, when appropriate, to determine any statistically significant differences in pathway activity levels. Pathways were identified in both stage and grade data analyses that show significant differences in activity levels across designation. While some overlap is seen, there was a significant number of pathways unique to either stage or grade. These pathways are known to affect the cell cycle, cellular transport, disease, immune system, and metabolism regulation. The biological pathways named by this research depict prospective biomarkers for progression of hepatocellular carcinoma per subdivision within both stage and grade. These findings may be instrumental to new methods of early and more accurate diagnosis. The distinct differences in identified pathways in grade and stage illustrate the need for these new methods to not only look at stage but also grade when determining prognosis. Furthermore, the pathways identified herein have potential to aid in the development of targeted treatment based on the affected biological processes.

The goal of this research was to better understand the knowledge, preparedness, and comfort level of single fathers with daughters regarding menarche and menstruation. To achieve this goal, a Google Forms survey was distributed using social media, and the data from this survey were analyzed using chi-squared tests and a regression model. Of 446 responses, 387 were included for analysis. It was found that comfort discussing the menstrual cycle significantly positively correlated with knowing their daughters’ menarcheal status and self-rated knowledge about the menstrual cycle, and negatively correlated with selecting parents as a responsible party for menstrual education. Knowledge level was significantly positively correlated with the number of subjects related to the menstrual cycle participants selected as being knowledgeable about, but was not significantly correlated with knowing menarcheal status or considering parents a responsible party for menstrual education. Considering parents a responsible party was also not correlated with having talked to their daughter about the menstrual cycle. Additionally, there was some evidence that comfort discussing menstruation is negatively correlated to age. The information gained from this study indicates that it would be beneficial to increase single fathers’ knowledge and comfort discussing the menstrual cycle in order to ensure the menstrual health of their daughters.

This packet includes:

Pro-Tips for Educators

MMM Intro to the Tournament Slide Deck

The MMM Team Booklet (2013-2022)

Life Sciences Research the Contenders Lesson Plan

Life Sciences Tournament Events Lesson Plan

Life Sciences Tournament Worksheets

Visual Arts Tumbling Blocks Lesson

Language Arts HAIKU Lesson

Science Writing – Should Have Been the Champion Lesson Plan

4th Grade Science and Writing Lesson Plan

MMM Guide for the Younger Crowd (K-5)

10th Annual MMM Festival Flyer